American-led NATO forces operating in Afghanistan believe the Taliban, with the ISI's blessing, is involved in the violence along the border districts of Afghanistan.These Taliban units attack Afghan and international forces operating along the border and quickly return across the border to Pakistan, they say.
In February 2006, Karzai presented Pakistan's military ruler General Pervez Musharraf with a list of names, addresses and telephone numbers of Taliban leaders, including Mullah Omar, living in Quetta. The list was also given to the Americans.
These charges have led to several angry exchanges between Karzai and Musharraf, who insists publicly that his country is not involved, while in the same breath admitting that he does not have much control over the tribal areas along the border. He also refuses to allow Afghan or Western forces from pursuing the Taliban into his country.
'On our side of the border,' says Musharraf, 'there will be a total uprising if a foreigner enters that area. It's not possible at all. We will never allow any foreigners into that area. It's against the culture of the people there.'
But his controversial peace deal with Pashtun leaders in his country's northern tribal belt, who are said to be protecting the Taliban and Al Qaeda militants, has fuelled concern in Afghanistan and the West.
Image Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai at the foreign ministry in Kabul, September 7, 2006, after a meeting where Musharraf stressed his commitment to fighting the Taliban and called for unity.
Photograph: Shah Marai/AFP/Getty Images
Also see: 'We are hunting Americans like pigs'
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